A political storm is ripping through Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as top allies turn their guns on President William Ruto—and each other—in a dramatic showdown over governance, devolution, and political betrayal.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has fired a scathing attack on Ruto’s administration, accusing it of dismantling devolution and dragging Kenya back into a “dark Moi-era dictatorship.” In a bombshell statement titled ‘Allow Governors to Manage Devolution’, Nyong’o claims Ruto is deliberately frustrating county governments and hijacking resources meant for local development.
“The Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Rural Roads Authority are relics from a bygone era,” Nyong’o thundered, suggesting the national government is sabotaging devolution by refusing to hand over full control to counties.
This explosive allegation has triggered a war of words. Ruto loyalists, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, hit back hard—accusing Nyong’o of cheap political blackmail and defending Ruto’s track record on county support.
But the cracks in ODM are now glaring. Siaya Governor James Orengo, long seen as Raila’s legal bulldog, is openly rebelling. In a shocking public showdown at a memorial event attended by both Ruto and Raila, Orengo condemned his own party’s flirtation with the government, branding ODM leaders as “Ruto’s praise and worship choir.”
“I won’t be dragged into this sham political romance,” Orengo declared defiantly, warning ODM against losing its identity in the name of political convenience.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna attempted damage control, distancing Nyong’o from claims of being Deputy Party Leader and reaffirming Raila’s commitment to devolution. But with leaders like Orengo and Nyong’o now openly defiant, ODM’s unity is hanging by a thread.
The opposition party is teetering on the edge, as internal mutiny and external political pressure threaten to explode into full-blown rebellion. Is this the beginning of the end for Raila’s tight grip on ODM?
